Buell Super Cruiser Becomes Cafe Racer 173 Tk, But Will Not Be Sold

Buell made a small surprise for fans of fast motorcycles. The American manufacturer showed off a cafe racer version of the 173 tk-powered Super Cruiser. It looks fierce, the body is carbon fiber, but its status is only a factory custom motorcycle.

As reported by Visor Down, quoted Tuesday, June 9, the only motorcycle was displayed at a motorcycle dealership in Daytona. Buell remodeled the Super Cruiser into a cafe racer with low clubman handlebars and a more crouched riding position.

The basis still uses the same frame, swing arm, and V-twin engine as the standard Super Cruiser. The difference is that the ape-hanger model's high handlebars are replaced with clip-on style clubman handlebars.

The change makes the rider lean forward. The body load also rests more on the front wheel. As a result, the character of the motorcycle looks more aggressive than the usual cruiser.

Buell also retained its hallmark: front disc brakes mounted on the outside of the rim. On regular motorcycles, the brake disc is generally near the center of the wheel. Buell placed it on the edge of the wheel to reduce unsprung mass and increase rigidity during braking.

The term unsprung mass refers to the parts of the vehicle that are not supported by the suspension, such as wheels, tires, and brake components. The lighter these parts, the wheels usually follow the road surface more easily.

Other changes can be seen in the Ohlins racing specification suspension with a shorter stroke. The carbon fiber body is also used quite a lot to strengthen the impression of being light and expensive.

The radiator layout was also changed. Buell took the side radiator configuration from the Hammerhead 1190 because the space in the front of this cafe racer was more limited.

In appearance, this motorcycle looks ready to enter the production line. However, this hope was immediately shattered by Buell.

"These are custom bikes that we make for the factory," a Buell spokesperson said, as quoted by Visor Down.

He emphasized, "We will not build these motorcycles as production models."

For now, the Super Cruiser cafe racer is made as a Buell custom project, not for mass production.